Williamsville High School senior Jonathan Miller is busy with classes. And college planning. And playing multiple sports. And performing in his school’s band. And serving as an officer in four clubs. And as president of the senior class.

He also finds time to volunteer, including at the Inner City Mission, at his church and at summer camps.

For his work in the community, Jonathan was been named a finalist for the Top Teen award, given by the The Voice section of The State Journal-Register to recognize teens who are making a difference in their communities.

Both of Jonathan’s parents are deaf. While he and his siblings have no hearing impairments, they are all fluent in American Sign Language.

Sign language has influenced Jonathan’s music, he said.

“Music is not just about singing or playing the right notes and rhythms but it is about feeling, emotion and expression. Because of my parents’ deafness, I have grown up using American Sign Language, and ASL is a language that demands expression. Being exposed to that at a very early age enhanced my ability to express myself visually. For me, that’s the fun part, feeling the music and physically responding to the music,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan helps lead music for worship at the Roanoke Southern Baptist Church. He also helps teach Sunday school, leads games and volunteers with church events. He’s involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he’s a huddle, or small group, leader. The fellowship meets at Williamsville High on Thursday mornings, and Jonathan’s had an opportunity to lead the group.

“Jonathan was a great huddle leader. Not only did he lead his huddle well, but most of the people that came to FCA were invited by Jonathan. I am thankful to have been able to serve alongside him, where I saw his leadership, love for God, and his love for people,” said Curtis Clark, a Williamsville graduate who is now a freshman at Milligan College in Tennessee.

Jonathan attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ camp in Jacksonville in 2011. He used his sign language skills at this program. There was a deaf boy at the camp and there wasn’t an interpreter. The boy couldn’t communicate with anyone so Jonathan stepped in to help.

“I decided that I could easily sign and translate everything for the young boy so that he might understand the messages and be a part of everything. The chances of that boy being in my huddle of all huddles are very small and I truly believe that God planned for that boy to be in my huddle,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan hopes to volunteer at the camp again this summer.

He’s also been able to integrate his faith while playing sports. Besides his serve with FCA, after each football game, he prays with his teammates. Jonathan also plays basketball and participates in track and field.

Page 2 of 2 - Jonathan’s school counselor, who nominated him for the Top Teen award, said she admires the teen for his love of others.

“What stands out to me about Jonathan is his compassion for others — everyone, actually. He treats everyone with respect and has really made other students feel good about themselves, no matter skin color, age or their abilities,” said counselor Hayley Chladny. “He appreciates the differences in people. He is the kind of person that you know when you see him in the halls or out in the community will look you in the eye and say, ‘Hello.’